Judge rejects injunction on Ark. sex offender law

LITTLE ROCK (AP) - A federal judge has rejected a request for a preliminary injunction to block an Arkansas law that prohibits registered sex offenders from receiving Medicaid funds.

U.S. District Judge Billy Roy Wilson issued the ruling Thursday denying the request by Dr. Lonnie Joseph Parker while Parker challenges the constitutionality of the law that was approved by the state Legislature earlier this year and took effect Aug. 16.

Parker was convicted in 2000 of possessing child pornography, but has long maintained his innocence. He had his medical license reinstated in 2005 and argues that the prohibition would effectively put him out of business since most of his patients are on Medicaid.

State officials argue that the law serves the public's interest and that Parker could still practice medicine despite the ban.

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